mediumMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: That their computer cannot connect to a network…
A user reports that their computer cannot connect to a network share. The technician runs ipconfig and sees an IP address of 169.254.1.5. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that a 169.254.x.x address always means a physical cable issue, but the correct interpretation is that it indicates a DHCP failure, not necessarily a Layer 1 problem.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable
The IP address 169.254.1.5 is an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, assigned by Windows when a DHCP discovery fails. This indicates the client could not reach a DHCP server to obtain a valid lease, making the DHCP server unavailable or unreachable the most likely cause.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The DNS server is not resolving the share name
Why it's wrong here
DNS resolves names to addresses; it does not assign the host's own IP address, so a DNS fault cannot yield 169.254.1.5. It tempts because name resolution failures do prevent connecting by share name, but the APIPA address points to DHCP, not DNS.
- ✗
The network cable is unplugged or faulty
Why it's wrong here
A 169.254.1.5 address is APIPA, self-assigned when DHCP is unreachable; an unplugged or faulty cable removes link, so the interface would show media disconnected rather than an APIPA address. It tempts because physical faults commonly cause connectivity loss, but link loss prevents APIPA assignment.
- ✓
The DHCP server is unavailable or unreachable
Why this is correct
An address in the 169.254.0.0/16 range is an APIPA self-assignment, which Windows applies only when the DHCP client receives no response. The unreachable DHCP server therefore leaves the host without a valid lease, default gateway or DNS, so the network share cannot be resolved or reached.
- ✗
The user's account does not have permission to access the share
Why it's wrong here
Share permissions govern access to an already-reachable SMB share, not IP address assignment; a 169.254.1.5 address is an APIPA self-assignment indicating DHCP failure. It tempts because permission errors do block share access, but they would not produce an APIPA address.
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Metered Network Connections
Key term
IP address
An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.
Key term
DHCP server
A DHCP server is a network device or service that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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